ACROSS THE BUSY YEARS Vol. II

You doubtless know your market on this, for it will be keyed to the interest in the first volume (with consideration to the effect the reviews of that volume had on the response). In no other contemporary autobiography are you likely to find such an impressive inventory of famous names, diplomatic, political, literary, as in that of N.M.B. This second volume tallies closely with the first, in its strict impersonality, in its formality, in the meticulous way in which he records whom he saw and where. The main part of the book deals with Butler's role as unofficial ambassador of good will, working for international understanding and peace. Correspondence, interviews, statements, reports, all the official side of his activities are included. The balance of the book deals with odds and ends, with governmental problems, with the bon mots of famous people he has known. One critic remarked, in reviewing the first, that ""whatever Butler derived from these giant brains and personalities he keeps assiduously to himself"". It is still true.